Abstract:
This experimental development research, two groups, experiment-control pre-test and post-test design aimed to develop a new working model for hospital waste management and to compare the outputs between before and after model implementation. The new model was developed and implemented during the period from August 10, 2013 to January 20, 2014 at Prasat Hospital. The control location was Rattanaburi Hospital. The samples consisted of 20,776 collections of waste that was acquired within a 1 week period of the pre-test and 1 week of post-test. Data were collected from 2,102 persons for analysis, A total of 2,605 questionnaires were distributed to patients and hospital staff. Comparison of the outputs between pre-test and post-test using Descriptive statistics, Independent t, Mann-Whitney U, Paired t, Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks at alpha 0.05 were applied. The study found that the new model of hospital waste management was more efficiency. It composes of management principles, waste management standards and principles, a Fogg's behavior model theory, and enquires concerning legal aspects. The structures and systems are documented clearly with an obvious practical manual guideline. After model implementation, the accuracy of waste separation was increased in recycling waste (p<0.001), organic waste (p<0.001), and general waste (p<0.008). General waste decreased (p=0.014), while hospital income revenues increased. The satisfaction increased amongst managers (p<0.001), hospital staffs (p<0.001), providers (p<0.008) but decreased (p=0.037) with customers in IPD. A continuation of this research in an effort to establish it as a prototype for comprehensive integration of hospital waste management into community is recommended, especially regarding hazardous waste.